I am looking at a new wetsuit purchase, the most important criteria after a comfortable fit being flexibility through the shoulders and ease of removal over my stupid fat knobby ankles. I have been using an Orca Sonar for the past couple of years and find it somewhat restrictive through the shoulders which causes me to drop my elbows. I also often have difficulty removing the wetsuit over my ankles which often costs me 30+ seconds in T1. In case it matters I am 5’-9", weigh 155-160 lbs, and have a medium build.
I posted a while ago about my wetsuit testing. I had 4 different models I purchased from Trisports and kept for about 10 days. I did 2 1500 meter test swims in each suit, noting when I first felt and shoulder fatigue. The DeSoto T1 First Wave was the only suit in which I felt no shoulder fatigue during the 1500 meter swim.
Not overly scientific, but, for me, the T1 was the choice. I am 6’ 2", 176 lbs, and long in the torso with monkey arms. So, I do not match your dimensions. Also, I find the T1 easy to get off, but, probably the easiest to get off the ankles was the QR Superfull, which slid off nicely.
I really liked all the suits. No issues with any of them. Just found the T1 worked best for me.
I would suggest the 2XU Elite ($499) or the comp1 ($389)
both have a massive under arm panel to give great range of motion in the shoulders. also, what we call our “floating zipper” allows the very flexible rubber to stretch, without tugging directly on the zipper. surprisingly makes a huge difference.
on the legs, both suits are SCS coated so the rubber is slick and slides on itself better when taking off. we also cut the ankles at an angle to make getting it off easier.
I recommend taking any suit off as quickly as possible when you get out of the water. the more time that passes, the more it dries out, and can be more difficult to remove.
based on your dimensions, i would recommend the size Medium in the 2XU.
hope this helps
chris
www.2XU.com
You mentioned DeSoto and QR. What were the other two brands of wetsuits that you tried, and what were your impressions regarding shoulder flexibility and ease of removal?
You mentioned DeSoto and QR. What were the other two brands of wetsuits that you tried, and what were your impressions regarding shoulder flexibility and ease of removal?
2XU Elite and Orca Apex 2. The 2XU was the “fastest” and provided what felt like the most flotation. Pretty easy to remove. The Orca just did not fit me very well for my build.
Easiest to remove: QR.
Most shoulder flexibility: DeSoto
Fastest (in feel and marginally in time): 2XU
Ultimately, I decided to make the leap to a 2 piece and love the DeSoto. Given my long torso and long arms, the 2 piece simply fit me the best. For me, this is a function of my build. Had I gone with a one piece, hands down, it would have been the 2XU. I absolutely loved that suit. Unfortunately (and I think this is completely due to my build), it just did not fit quite as well as the 2 piece, but, was close (I tried 2 different sizes in the 2XU).
I definitely want to check out the 2XU Elite. The 2XU site does not list any dealers in the region that I live (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). How would you suggest I go about setting up an opportunity to try the Elite on for fit, and even better, to test one in the water? I know there are dealers in the US that allow the return of a wetsuit if it is not a good fit, however, this procedure is costly and not practical as I live in Canada.
Thanks for the response. I definitely want to check out the 2XU Elite. I also plan on looking at the Ninteen Frequency. BTW, did you find the Orca Apex to be restrictive through the shoulders and difficult to remove over the ankles?
Thanks for the response. I definitely want to check out the 2XU Elite. I also plan on looking at the Ninteen Frequency. BTW, did you find the Orca Apex to be restrictive through the shoulders and difficult to remove over the ankles?
Re: the Orca Apex – not restrictive per se or hard to remove. Hard to describe the fit of an Orca if you haven’t tried one on. In my (limited) experience with Orca suits, they are the most “form fitting” of the wetsuits. If you look at them hanging, they are the only ones that really look hour-glass shaped. They definitely do not fit all body types. But, like I said, I have very limited experience in them. I know a few people who wear them and absolutely love them.
The DeSoto is like swimming without a wetsuit. It is by far the most comfortable wetsuit I have been in.
I will add the DeSoto T1 to my list of wetsuits to check out - just not sure about a 2 piece suit. My local dealer has a good selection of Nineteen and DeSoto wetsuits. It is the 2XU which is going to be difficult to track down.
The 2 piece is a non issue. I use to think it was kind of awkward but once you actually try it, it’s just like any other suit. Give it a go and I bet you don’t go back.
Oh boy…
I’ve swam in so many differnt wetsuits on over the past few weeks I can’t believe it.
Here’s a couple of things I’ve learned:
Putting the suit on incorrectly is the best way to ruin its perfromance and the root of (nearly all) evil. Be sure you get your darn suit on correctly. Few people do. More flexible does not necessarily equal faster, but it may equal *easier to sell. *Here’s what I mean: Traditionally wetsuits are purchased in a store or online and involve a dry land fitting. You try the suit on, if it “feels” OK compared to a couple others you may have tried then maybe you buy that one. People are generally buying by dry land “feel” rather than actual swim performance. Even swimming in an Endless Pool won’t tell you much since you can’t really time your distance/performance very accurately in a swim plume. I have a **feeling **based on swimming in one company’s highest end suit with ultra (or is it Super?) flexible shoulders that more flexible fabrics (including the backing of the neoprene, not necessarily the neoprene itself) flood a heck of a lot faster, fit worse in the water, wind up somewhat baggy unless you buy them really small according to their size chart and generally don’t work that great. My 500 meter time trial test showed them *slower. * The fastest suits I have swam in consistently have been very snug fitting basic full suits without ultra-stretchy panels or any bells and whistles.
Here are some excerpts from the time trials I’ve been doing over the past few weeks at Jack Dunworth (Levagood) pool here in Dearborn in the mornings. It is a beautiful outdoor 50 meter pool.
Time trial protocol: Warm-up with 2 X 500 meters easy, then 500 meters timed- all swimming (including warm-up) done in wetsuit being tested. Only one suit tessted per day (since the darn things are difficult to get on once I’m already wet and I only have about an hour in the morning for my swim workout).
Wetsuit A: 500 meters: 8:41. Note: This was a “partial” (i.e., not full body) wetsuit.
Wetsuit B: 500 meters: 8:39. Note: This was a full wetsuit, 2 piece, sized from size chart.
Wetsuit C: 500 meters: 8:30. Note: Same wetsuit as above, swam with one size smaller top today.
Wetsuit D: 500 meters: 8:23. Note: Wetsuit I’ve raced in before. A “favorite”. Fits well.
Wetsuit E: 500 meters: 8:42. Note: Expensive full suit. I didn’t like the way the shoulders fit.
Wetsuit F: 500 meters: 8:19. Note: Wetsuit claims to have different textile backing that is non-absorbent. Feels stiff.
Not shown above are some zany tests I’ve done with long john suits (more later) and also with a long john wetsuit while wearing the sleeves cut off a full suit (in other words, a “shoulderless full suit”).
A lot of what I’ve done here is to help me decide which suit to use at Ford Ironman Wisconsin. I still haven’t decided…
Oh, I meant to point out that the *least *flexible **feeling **suit was the fastest out of this round of TT tests.
It will be well worth your effort to track down a 2XU. I have an elite and love it. I’ve read posts where the DeSoto two piece tops can ride up at times.
If you are weaker swimmer, the Pro-Motion Fluid Drive Full Suit might be a good choice. It’s good for weaker swimmers, (or uphill swimmers like me). It has extra-thick neoprene around the lower legs for extra buoyancy and a more streamlined position. I especially like the zipper on the legs for easy removal. And the upper body is made of a super stretch material that’s I find very easy to move around in.
I’m not an expert, but my guess is that the zippers in the legs may cause some drag for faster swimmers?
But it’s inexpensive, too.
I will add the DeSoto T1 to my list of wetsuits to check out - just not sure about a 2 piece suit. My local dealer has a good selection of Nineteen and DeSoto wetsuits.
May I ask who the local dealer is? Cycle Logik? (from Ottawa too and looking into getting first wetsuit)
Nope, no riding up here. If you get a top that is too small for you then I can see it riding up but that would be the same as getting a regular wetsuit that is too small, it would be restrictive in the shoulders.
Cycle Logik should carry both (for sure Nineteen).
Just give them a call.
Fred.
as per 2XU website there is a dealer in Montreal and one in Kingston.
you also have High Peaks Cyclery in LP. Maybe you could be able to try one in Mirror Lake?? Before heading for a wonderful bike ride on the IM course!
Cheers,
Fred.
The dealer I was referring to is Cycle Logik. They have Nineteen, DeSoto, and Orca. Based on the experience I have had with my Orca Sonar, I will not be getting another Orca.